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The Letterkenny Reunion - Past Trips
Each year the Letterkenny Reunion organise trips abroad (see below).....
America here we come. Reunion Trip 2006.
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The Letterkenny Reunion executive committee members decided they would embark on a different venture than the obvious one to England or Scotland and try their hand at far off U.S.A. Knowing that this was going to be a difficult assignment it took several meetings to come to the agreement that New York and Philadelphia were high on the agenda as places to visit. From the outset Niall O’Donnell was the agreed candidate as leader and party organiser. His knowledge of travelling and organising was to be a huge benefit for such a task and what a master stroke it turned out to be. With meetings completed, cases packed, passports at the ready, dollars in the pocket , a group of some ninety excited followers had their tickets from Liberty Travel and headed for Dublin Airport at 4a.m. on Sunday 1st October courtesy of McGettigan Travel on two buses, next destination New York. All hands transferred and headed for 7th Avenue at 55th Street where bookings were made at the Wellington Hotel and everyone checked in. To our amazement this Hotel was situated at the top of Times Square and a mere five minutes walk to the centre of the city. Times Square is the central attraction when coming to New York as it boasts all that is good and happening in the large city with all its razzmatazz and the lights at night time making it a new experience for the group from Letterkenny. First day there groups decided to go their separate ways . Some went to Jersey Gardens Shopping Centre or Woodbury Common Shopping Centre and these were reportedly two of the largest shopping malls in the world. The former had in excess of three hundred outlets whereas the latter had over four hundred to choose from. Una McGlynn and Frances Walsh were spending dollars as if they were going out of fashion but were reminded about the 38 kilos restriction when returning home. They ignored the warning and said they would charm the Custom officers Conal McMenamin [ formerly from High Road ] who emigrated some 50 years ago and a close friend of Dan McTeague’s volunteered and took quite a number on a sight seeing trip and guided tour around Manhattan in glorious weather conditions which accompanied us throughout the vacation. On Tuesday evening the group were joined up with Marette Mackey, Greta Donnelly, Caroline Doherty [ Mackey ], Brenda McClafferty [ Lynch ], Ursula McGlynn, Geraldine Durning [ Sweeney ], Kathleen O’Doherty [ Ferry ], Ann Calpin, Marie Doherty [ Duffy ] and Marian Carey [ Doherty ]. The travelled separately due to shortage of flights and became known as "The Desparate Housewives". Margaret and Michael Madden also joined the gang as they were residing with their son Michael in another part of the city. Next stop was the Vertigo Bar and Restaurant in Nyack belonging to Letterkenny man Leslie McGettigan son of the more famous James [ Gouldie ] of St.Eunans and Donegal fame. Leslie was there to meet us with a warm welcome in a most beautiful and spacious lounge where his bar staff of Anjo Duffy [ Ballymacool ] and Donagh McCloskey [ Glencar ] served complimentary drinks and their kindness and generosity was second to none. Barney set up the music accompanied by the resident musician Fergus Molloy with songs from Jim Ferry, Dan McTeague, Johnny Kelly, James Friel, Bobby Mullis [ a visitor from Boston ] and Frankie Kelly who dropped in the see his parents Dessie and Annette. Letterkenny people residing in New York were there to meet us , Brenda O’Neill [ Convent Road ], Johnny Kelly [ Ros Suilighe ], Michael Madden [ Leck Road ], Shane Thompson [ Derryveagh Ave. ], Jimmy Kennedy [ Glencar ], Mark Dunne [ Glencar ], Kathleen McGovern [ nee Devine Kirkneedy ],her son Martin and daughter Anna, Conal McMenamin, Paul McBride[ Long Lane], Noelle Crumlish [ Lr.Main St.], Karl and Beatrice McClafferty [ Oaklands Park], Declan Treacy [ Glencar ], Freda Crumlish [ Lr.Main St.], Peter McGlynn [ Hawthorn Heights ], Tanya Irwin and husband Michael Roddy , Siobhan McCann [ College Farm Rd. ], Michael Dawson [ Beechwood ], Pat Doherty, Essie [McMenamin ] and husband John Toland, Seamus Diver [ Ballymacool ]. The President of the Donegal Association Kathleen O’Keeffe [ nee Gillen,Convoy ] travelled along with Pat McDaid and his wife [ Glenkeeragh, New Mills ] to honour us with their company. The very kind natured Conal McMenamin had a surprise in store for the visitors with a cargo of spot prizes which totalled thirty and a very special on which he would reveal at the end of the evening.. When Barney drew the ticket a pleasant surprise was in store for Claire Casey [ Stevenson ] and Mary McKenna where a table for three was booked for a five course meal in a top New York restaurant on Wednesday night along with an earlier Broadway Show. By Friday we had moved on to Philadelphia where accommodation was at the superb Embassy Suites in Downtown Philadelphia and the quality had to be seen to be believed. We were guests at the Tyrone Ball on Saturday where we met Liam McHugh [ Ros Suilighe ]and his wife Mary, Cathy Gallagher [ Ard O’Donnell ], six Crossan family members [ Trentagh ], Patsy and Olive James daughter Marion and husband Derek from Los Angeles, Marie Deery [ Rosemount ]. We attended a reception in the Irish Centre courtesy of the Donegal Association on Sunday with dinner and drinks served by instruction of the executive committee members led by Carmel Crossan [ Trentagh ], Barney Boyce [ Cranford ], President Teresa Murtagh, Liam McHugh and several others. Others who dropped in were, John and Una [ nee Porter, Raphoe ] McDaid and family members Jack, Joe, Brian. Josephine and Lelia Larkin [ Lr.Main St. ], Louis Bradley [ Carnamuggagh ], Bernard McGarvey and wife Ethel [ nee Hanlon, New Mills ], Margaret Brady [ nee Sweeney , Milford ] her son Keelan, Leo Mohan [ Frosses ], Goggi O’Donnell [ Rathmullan ], John Gallagher and wife Trudy [ Dunfanaghy ], Cathy Gallagher, Tom Boyle [ Frosses ], Marie Deery, Sally McHugh [ Rahan ], Peter Gallagher [ Churchill ], Kathleen Gallagher. Music was by Eddie Gallagher [ Ardara ] and his band accompanied by Barney and son John . This was a tremendous evening of song and dance and the only sadness was when it was time to say goodbye with kisses and handshakes all round and hoping we may meet again in the not too distant future remembering what true friends are made for. It was then onto Elizabethtown where we met with Bob and wife Doris, Beth and husband Sheldon, Chuck and wife Linda, Dale and wife Jean, Lisa who all went out of their way to make us most welcome along with providing a great days entertainment where singing and dancing to the music of Barney and son John was the order of the day. Sadly it was time to move on again but this trip will be remembered by all who had the pleasure of travelling on it and will be talked about for years to come especially for the hospitality that the Americans gave to us. |
Letterkenny Reunion on trip to London 2007
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After their successful tour of New York and Philadelphia last October 2006, a group of Letterkenny Reunion enthusiasts decided on another outing and this time round it was to the city of London. The tour was again led by the Chairman Niall O’Donnell who had all the arrangements in place and he left no stone unturned ensuring the trip was organised in a most professional manner as is fitting with his organisational skills and ability. There was two pick up points on departure dates Wednesday 15th August , the Cathedral Car Park and the Ramada Hotel and soon 54 people were on board for the long journey to Dun Laoghaire to catch the mid day crossing to Holyhead on a coach driven by Joe Mangan[ junior ] owner of Mangan Tours and now based at Crossview House. The tour group were due to return on Wednesday 21st August. As is customary on all Reunion trips we had the pleasure of Barney McDaid with his accordion to entertain the group and as the first night came to a close everyone was tired and ready for a good nights sleep. Before retiring Hugo Daly joined in with his guitar, songs were rendered by Dan McTeague, Jim Ferry, Tommy Daly, Michael Madden, James Friel, Patsy Shiels [ R.I.P. ], James [ Busty ] McMonagle and Barry Lynch. On Thursday morning after breakfast it was time to move on to London. Coach driver Joe headed on the M6 and stopped off for a couple of hours at Oxford to view the city and do some shopping. Oxford is famous for its universities and the streets were thronged with so many young people in the city attending the university of their choice. After a couple of hours it was on to London but on the way we had another stop off at one of the busiest shopping streets in the world Oxford Street in the centre of the city. This gave us the taste of what we would experience the following day Friday when we would get the whole day in the centre of the city browsing around and taking in all the sights . Our next stop was the Quality Hotel Westminster which was a three star hotel located in the centre of London close to all famous landmarks e.g. Westminster Cathedral, Houses of Parliament and Buckingham Palace. This was also a most comfortable hotel fully equipped with all mod cons and tastefully decorated where we were based until our departure on Monday. After breakfast on Frdiay we had the pleasure of Richard our tour guide who took us around the city with the assistance of Joe Mangan. As a Londoner he was most knowledgeable and gave us a history lesson of all that is good in the big city promoting it to the full leaving nothing to chance and enjoyed by one and all. This was a four hour trip at its best and we took in all the major sites and venues which included Harrod’s built in 1841 and the building had 11,000 light bulbs around the outside. Harry Russell was brave when he bought a jacket whilst inside at a price very few could afford but he remarked he got a bargain, his purchase created a lot of banter throughout the week. The 600 acre Hyde Park was a sight to behold and thronged with people and indeed Neil Clarke, Michael Mulrennan, Scott Aiken, Patsy James, Eddie Tinney, James Shiels, Michael Madden, Danny Caddye, Barry Lynch, Harry Russell, Pat Doherty, Tommy Daly and Barney McDaid continued their daily exercise while on tour. Harvey Nicholl’s store was on a par with Harrod’s and this was the late Princess Diana’s favourite store. The 5th floor is a meeting spot for famous celebrities and Margaret Madden , Kay McGlynn, Violet Ashe, Carol McGarvey, Eileen Browne, Angela Doherty, May Neely, Anne Quinn, Mary McMonagle, Maura Irwin and Anne Caddye ventured there and met quite a few stars and celebrities but not to disappoint the readers decided not to put their names into print. An invitation awaited the party on Friday evening at the Castle Inn, Finchley Road to attend a dance courtesy of Seamus Moore who made a name for himself throughout Ireland on the dance band scene where his most famous song was the “ JCB MAN. Everything was set up and ready to go when the coach pulled up and when Barney got his instruments tuned up a great nights entertainment was had by one and all. Contacts were made in advance by the committee members letting the London based exiles know of the arrangements so as they could come and meet us where everyone was delighted with the huge turn out of Letterkenny people present along with people from Ramelton, Churchill, Trentagh, Glenswilly to mention but a few. Names that spring to mind are Con O’Halpin and his two brothers Seosiamh and Aodh, John Kelly [ Lr. Main St.], Johnny [ The Boy ] O’Donnell, John McGranaghan, William Gamble, Phonsies Kelly’s wife Margaret and two sons Charles and Anthony, Anthony Devine [ Sallaghagraine ], Johnny [Doughboy ] Doherty, Mary Curran [ Rosemount ], Olive Simpson, Martin Herron, Frankie [ Toby ] Herron, Anne Hearne, Chris McGlynn, Barry Cullen, Paul Griffin, Amanda Toland, Eileen Hillen[ Niall’s cousin]. Many stories were told and retold and new acquaintances made but when Barney played Amhrain na Bhiann it was time to board the coach again and return to base for a nights rest. Thanks to all the people who took time out to support the Laetterkenny Reunion making it a memorable occasion with fantastic memories which will stay with us for years to come. Roll on another trip quickly. |
Letterkenny Reunion on trip to Glasgow 2008
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The music, singing and dancing had already begun in the 'Girvan sunshine earlier that morning. The craic on the Friday night was in the Douglas Hotel where once again the group where warmly welcomed.
A shopping trip on saturday was enjoyed by all with dancing and singing in St. Stephen's hall later that night. A number of people, including Anna McDaid, Maggie Kearney and friends went to great lengths to provide a wonderful supper and ensure the night was a great success.
On the night, people such as Francie and Hannah O'Donnell, John and Margaret Gallagher, the McBride sisters, Mena and Celine, Mickey and Margaret O'Hanlon, the Doherty sisters, Eileen and Jean, Richard and Maura Spratt, Jimmy Sweeney, Maud and Chrissy Deveeney to name a few danced the night away. The waltzing competition was won by Freddie Ashe and Maggie Kearney. First prize in the draw was won by Mickey O'Hanlon.
Edinburgh
On Sunday, the bus was boarded once more for a trip to Edinburgh. The grey skies did not dampen the spirits and a great day was enjoyed by all. Singing and dancing continued later that night back at the Beardmore hotel.
On all occasions and in all places, Eddie Gallagher and Mervin Russell, known as 'Rivers West' entertained from 8 till late with a guest appearance from Eddie Tinney, accompanied by Violet Ashe on the accordian.
The committee members who travelled included Margaret Madden, James 'Busty' McMonagle, Marette Crumlish, Caroline Mackey, James Friel, Carol McGarvey and Kathleen Ferry.
Letterkenny Reunion on trip to Glasgow 2009
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The reunion group from outside the Ramada Hotel in the early hours of Friday 29th May 2009 on route to Scotland where we arrived early enough to take the early sailing and enjoy nearly a full day in Clydebank. Entertainment once again was in the Douglas Hotel where we enjoyed a great night just like on the 2008 trip.
We followed that up on Saturday night with a dance in St. Stephens Hall and on Sunday night we enjoyed a great nights dancing in the Beardmore Hotel where we stayed. This was a top class hotel with excellent leisure facilities. We also enjoyed a wonderful day trip to Loch Lomond and a great day was had by all in this most beautiful of places. Photos of the day trip and the various night's dancing and craic can be seen above in our gallery. |